Pep Guardiola has expressed his disappointment that new signing Marc Guehi will not be able to feature in the Carabao Cup final in March.
Manchester City are set to take on Arsenal after breezing past Newcastle 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, sealing a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate victory in the semi-final.
Now, the Citizens have asked the EFL to change the longstanding rule to allow the £20million central defender to play.
Rules have already been altered this season, meaning Antoine Semenyo started both legs of the semi-final against Newcastle United.
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Guardiola acknowledged he did not expect City to be successful, but said they will make their case regardless.
The Manchester City boss said: "Why should he not play? Why not? He’s our player, we pay his salary, we hired him…
"We want to ask. I said to the club we have to ask definitely. I don’t understand the reason why he cannot play in the final of the Carabao Cup in March when he has been here a long time…
"Of course we are going to ask because it’s pure logic. (But) to change the rule, no way. But we will try."
Pep Guardiola has asked the EFL to change the longstanding rule
|GETTY
City will now meet Arsenal at Wembley on March 22 in a showdown between the Premier League's top two sides.
Omar Marmoush proved the difference-maker for the hosts against Newcastle, netting twice in a devastating first-half display that effectively killed the tie.
The Egyptian opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Dan Burn's attempted clearance ricocheted off him and into the net.
Tijjani Reijnders completed the first-half demolition three minutes later, finishing coolly after Burn's tackle on Semenyo inadvertently played him through.
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Marc Guehi will not be able to feature in the Carabao Cup final in March
|GETTY
Guardiola said: "I do not take it for granted. I know how difficult it is. I don’t know how many semi-finals and finals we have played in the FA Cup but it’s really good, and in 10 years five Carabao Cup finals so it’s really good: top, top, top.”
Speaking on Marmoush, the manager said: "He gives us a special quality.
"His pace, his moments in behind, and his work ethic."
Manchester City have now played at Wembley at least once every season since 2010-11.
Omar Marmoush was in fine form as City's first-half pasting was enough to end any hope of a Newcastle comeback | REUTERSSubstitute Anthony Elanga provided Newcastle with a consolation goal shortly before the hour, cutting inside before finding the far corner with a composed finish.
The Magpies kicked off the game trailing 2-0 from the opening leg and quickly found themself 3-0 down and in need of five goals.
Manager Eddie Howe said: "[I was] really annoyed with the first half display.
"We pride ourselves on being really organised and tactically we want to be able to handle any problem the opposition gives us. That first half we weren’t good enough individually and our duels were off and it gave us huge problems."
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